ROY HARRIS STUDIO

Dr. Roy M. Harris

Dr. Roy M. Harris is an internationally recognized sculptor. European royalty have commissioned his bronzes. His sculptures are included in the private collections of U.S. presidents and hollywood celebrities. The majesty of Roy's art is due in part to the multiple facets of the man: cowboy-turned-professor-turned-artist. As a cowboy, Roy experienced a lifestyle that influences the character of his work. As a college professor, he gained world-wide recognition as an animal scientist and an in-depth knowledge of his subjects. As a self-taught artist, he is unrestrained by "conventional wisdom" and is, therefore, innovative in developing new techniques to give his art a uniquely realistic appearance. Roy's life experiences and renowned academic credentials blend with his artistic skills to produce sculptures unparalleled in beauty and form. For a more in-depth understanding of this artist, check out the following:

Cowboy-Turned-Professor-Turned-Artist
Roy-on-Roy

Cowboy-Turned-Professor-Turned-Artist

Roy Harris is a gentleman, a scholar, and a sculptor to presidents and kings, but he introduces himself as "just an ol' cowboy." That may be because Roy "cowboyed" all over the West for nearly 50 years.

After growing up in northern Utah, Harris put himself through college by roughing out a string of colts each summer. During the Korean War, he served as a horse trooper with a reconnaissance squadron in the Bavarian Alps. He earned a B.S. in animal science at Utah State Agriculture College, then worked as a cow boss on a ranch in eastern Arizona. In 1954, Roy completed his M.S. at Utah State University and joined the faculty of California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo. A doctorate in animal genetics and physiology was completed in 1970 at Utah State University. His work as a research scientist and geneticist earned both national and international recognition. He is included as a Biographee in Who's Who in Frontier Science and Technology (1st and 2nd editions), and Who's Who in the World (7th, 8th, and 9th editions). As a sculpture, Roy has been recognized in Southwest Art Publishing's Contemporary Western Artists. Currently, Roy is collaborating on a book detailing his theory that a race horse's conformation is a high percentage predictor of the horse's success on the track.

Roy's life long interest in "range critters" and western life grew into a remarkable skill for beautiful, hauntingly real sculptures. Roy's work shows his passion for precision and perfect proportions. His sculptures are technically and structurally correct with natural composition. The pieces display emotional expression and spiritual understanding, and very often, a cowboy's sense of humor...True to life.

During his tenure as a professor, Dr. Harris was commissioned to create a life size bronze sculpture of a mustang for Cal Poly. In 1984, Roy was commissioned by Idaho's Sun Valley Resort to sculpt two life size figures of skiers. He was also commissioned by the Prince of Spain for a sculpture of the Prince's champion Arabian mare, Abha Hamir. Pieces from these special editions are included in the private collections of former presidents Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan. Most recently, Boise State University commissioned Roy to create a larger-than-life bronze sculpture of the BSU bronco mascot for display outside the BSU football stadium. Roy's work was also part of the Professional Rodeo Association 1980 display at the Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma.

Movement and emotion show in every piece that Roy sculpts. As a contemporary artist, he specializes in what he knows...The West.

Roy-on-Roy

Here are some of Roy's thoughts on art and sculpting:

Art educates the senses, it educates the mind, it educates the emotions and it educates the soul. (Sculpture) Unless you have lived it, breathed it and spiritually been a part of it, to give it life and a soul is virtually an impossibility.
Every piece of art is first an idea, then in its transformation from a mental vision to a physical object it must take on a life of its own and possess a soul.
If a piece of art does not possess life, fluidity and soul, then the piece is not finished or the artist has failed.
Being positive about art and being accurate are two different things, the first is universal the latter impossible...for art is a guest not an accomplishment.
Composition is the organization of elements with lines of continuity within a given area.
Besides raising an emotion in the viewer western art should tell a story.
If your art work evokes an emotion in the viewer then you need no judges nor ribbons to give you satisfaction for the many hours spent.
I make my own tools but the hand of the artist makes the art. It takes a lifetime to record in memory what is natural in all movements.
A true artist conceives impressions and this should be the secret of his originality. If so, his art would not need an interpreter.
When starting a new piece, consider first the main subject. Everything must give effect to the subjects predominance.
90% of viewers judge a piece before examining it closely. No matter how well a piece is executed or how exciting the story, if the design fails to draw attention at first sight there is something wrong with the composition. Beyond this, the execution of the piece must be carried out as well as the design if it is to be a masterpiece.
When composing a new piece it must draw attention at first sight and should never have the look of being composed. The work needs to look natural and done without effort.
All parts of a piece should blend and be united by means of rhythmical lines so as to produce one natural united whole. Every part must play a part in arousing and maintaining the viewers interest.
Good composition travels the eye through all the various features until it finally rests on the principal part of the picture.
Western art is abstract art with a theme. It should have good composition, movement and fluidity and be alive and possess a soul.

Roy Harris Art:
Where the West Lives!

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